Austin's first visit to his grandmother's house after the death of his grandfather is filled with painful memories and an acute sense of loss. After he and his grandmother make a few groping attempts to comfort each other, they finally manage to reach each other and share their grief by engaging in one of grandpa's favorite activities—fly fishing. Jukes uses imagery to convey deep emotions and seemingly simple acts to create character, giving remarkable depth to a brilliant short story. Honor Book, 1985 CCBC Newbery Discussion. (Ages 5-11)

"Austin's visit to his grandmother's is the first since Grandpa died. Austin notices Grandpa's things but feels the emptiness of his absence. This spare story vividly captures the emotions of painful times and shows how they ease with sharing and remembering. Boy and grandfather were close, but boy and grandmother seem destined to be just as close, with Grandpa's memory to bind them. Poignant and perceptive, this has impressive resonance, and readers won't easily shed its warm afterglow."--(starred) Booklist.